As we got closer to the city, I was even more sure that my guesses were correct.
"Master, what should I do about them?" Jeanne asked.
I couldn't see Jeanne's face, but I could tell that she was referring to the group by the gate. There were two literally bullheaded demons near a carriage, and both seemed to be looking for something in the vicinity. Though that alone wasn't suspicious, not only could I sense about three weak lives hidden in the carriage, Kaili's shivering had reached an all-time high after glimpsing at those man.
'I see, the pieces coming together.'
Based on her reaction, I deduced that they played a role in getting her out of the city. After all, even if they were demons they wouldn't let children outside the city walls unless there was a good reason. Well, not that I thought these men actually had a good reason.
As I felt Kaili shiver in fear, I was gradually leaning towards confronting these men, but I didn't want to cause any trouble so I only marked them with my mana so I could track them later.
"No, let them swim around for now. I'll catch them later. For now just focus on entering the city."
"Understood, master."
After nodding in response, I allowed Jeanne to lead the way to the city's entrance. The city entrance wasn't a large gate as you would expect of a fantasy, but a small automatic door that fit this city's modern theme. I couldn't tell whether it was early or not, but we were lucky because no one else was trying to enter at this time.
"Wait, do you have a pass?"
One the two green lizardmen who stood as guards stopped Jeanne. This was our first time here but thanks to Ein, we didn't have to pay the entrance fee because we already had our passes, not that I would use mine this time.
"Here."
After the guard accepted the black metal card that Jeanne gave him, he ran it through some sort of mobile scanner and then gave it back.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Once the lizardman backed off, Jeanne walked towards the shiny silver door that slid open as she approached, and we followed. I could tell that Kaili was curious as to why the guards didn't notice us, but I only placed my finger over my lips to signal her to be quiet. I only made us seem invisible to the guards through Hypnosis and soul magic, but I didn't think I needed to tell a child how to bypass the stealth magic detection system here.
After passing through the door, we were welcomed to a busy street with demons of varying origins. It was a little too much for someone who had been a shut-in for twenty years, but by switching to using a barrier to deflect light I could stay invisible to everyone here as well.
However, Jeanne still attracted attention. I didn't realize because the guards didn't show any reaction, but even to demons she really was a beauty. It could be my misconception that she had gotten prettier than when she was human, but regardless her charming appearance stood out. Unfortunately, she wasn't happy about this.
"Master, do I have to stay visible?"
"Sorry, but it's best we don't come off as too sneaky to the boss here. You can hide your face if you want though."
"Fine."
Jeanne sighed before taking another step, and then paused and slowly turned her face to me with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Um, master. Do you think I'm, pretty?"
'Why is she...? Eh, I guess it's fine.'
"Well yes, why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing."
I caught a glimpse of a smile before Jeanne hastily turned back around, something that I felt the urge to tease her about but I restrained myself. I wanted to know why she asked that out of nowhere, but the strange gaze I was getting from Kaili was making me feel awkward.
I thought we would have a hard time moving through the crowd, especially since Kaili and I were invisible, but once Jeanne started walking the demons who were admiring, or lusting after, her broke out in cold sweat and quickly made way for us.
"Are you doing something?"
"Silent intimidation. Though demons like to follow their desires, most of them are so in tune with their instincts that they will immediately submit to someone overwhelming stronger."
"So, you're threatening then with your aura or something?"
"Basically. I'm sure if master did it, all of them would immediately kneel before you."
"Ohh, well..."
'Using my aura, how the hell do I do that?! I learnt magic not martial arts. But well Jeanne's the one using it so I should be able to do it too. Probably, hopefully. It does sound cool after all.'
Since she was only using this technique on those nearby we weren't drawing too much attention so I just enjoyed it.
When I looked down at Kaili, she didn't seem affected by the 'aura' Jeanne was emitting, and was looking at both of us suspiciously.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
"Hmm, mister, are you and this lady close?"
'Mister?!'
I felt an unexpected attack pierce through my YOUNG heart, but I held my expression and replied.
"Well, you could say that."
"How close?"
"Uhh, well she's one of the people I trust most in this world."
'Which isn't a lot honestly.'
"Then, is she your wife?"
?!
I nearly choked on nothing and judging by how Jeanne's shoulders twitched, she was also shaken.
'Are girls just naturally interested in this sort of stuff?'
"Um, no. I don't have a wife."
"Lover?"
"Why do you even, hah, no. We're not like that."
"So you don't have special feelings for her?"
"Why are you so interested in this?"
"Because I'm curious."
"A little too curious. A kid like you doesn't need to know that."
"But Mama said that I should always ask questions if I want to know about something."
"Maybe so, but there are some questions that you can't ask."
"Why?"
"Because you might find out something you didn't need to know."
"But if I didn't ask questions I wouldn't know that Dad..."
As I noticed the pause in her reply, I looked at Kaili who clung tighter to me.
"Kaili?"
She didn't cry, but I could tell that she was going through some sad memories so I stuck to silently comforting her.
While she eventually fell asleep in my embrace with wet eyes, Jeanne and I arrived in front of the tallest building in Night City.
"How is it so tall?"
It resembled a skyscraper, but though Jeanne stared at it while marvelling at its height and design, I was more concerned about the various spells that seemed to have been placed on it.
Jeanne was probably better than I was at detecting pre-cast magic like this, but I could get an estimate of how effective it was.
'It might be able to stop a fully grown dragon.'
I had never seen Aura fight, but I believed that even my current self would likely be unable to beat her. If it wasn't for her already choosing to move on to the next life, Bony's entire army would have probably been wiped out in one breath. Therefore, the fact that I felt this building could stop such a force was proof of how highly I thought of it.
"Let's go."
This time, I took the lead and entered through the automatic sliding glass door. I took off my barrier so I was no longer invisible, but I didn't think that I could have fooled the sensors here anyways.
I took a moment to appreciate the clean, sophisticated look of the white room and the attractive flower arrangements, before heading straight towards the receptionist with pink eyes and a thin heart-shaped tip tail. This would be troublesome if that person didn't notice me, but since the hidden guards hadn't come out,
"Excuse me, I'm here to-"
"Yes, our Mistress has informed us of your arrival. Please allow me to lead the way."
Without me needing to explain, she left her counter and led us with a courteous smile. I noticed Jeanne frowning due to the fact that our guide had tried to covertly use Charm on me, but she knew as well as I did that this was merely child's play. Especially considering who I was about to meet.
The small cylindrical room she led us to pleasantly surprised me once we entered it and it started rising. Jeanne hastily tried to hide her surprise, but I didn't hold back my smile. It would have been better if this space was transparent but this wasn't bad either.
'Ah, an elevator. I should get one of these in the castle, not that I'll use it often.'
After about three seconds we made it to the top floor and stepped out of the elevator. Once we got to a certain room I gently gave Kaili to Jeanne so that she didn't wake up.
"Take care of her."
"...Yes, master."
I knew Jeanne wanted to enter with me but this battlefield was only for us. As I entered the room I was immediately greeted by a rather unexpected sight.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Crow."